Hartelco honored for delivering broadband-enabled solutions in agriculture, health care, public safety, economic development and education.
Hartington, Nebraska is one of 13 rural communities nationwide to be honored with the title Smart Rural Community by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association, which cited Hartelco’s advanced communications services and collaboration with local leaders in agriculture, health care, public safety, economic development and education as keys to its success.
At a gathering of more than 1,000 leaders of rural telecommunications providers hosted by NTCA, Hartelco was honored with an award for deploying advanced technologies and leveraging those technologies to enable innovation in the areas of economic development and commerce, education, enhanced health care, government services, security and energy use. Hartelco’s efforts were judged against those of dozens of other communities nationwide by a panel of experts from the fields of telecommunications, software and technology services, education, health care and economic development.
Hartelco is the first telecommunications provider in Nebraska to receive this distinguished award. In addition to Hartelco, 12 other providers and their communities in Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada, also were recognized.
“Hartelco is prime example of the power of a broadband connection and a steadfast commitment to growth and prosperity,” said NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield. “Not only are the people of Hartelco charting their own path to a more prosperous future, they are also creating a road map for many more communities across the country to follow suit. I commend the people of Hartelco for these extraordinary efforts.”
The NTCA Smart Rural Community initiative recognizes and celebrates the efforts of rural telecommunications providers and their communities to deliver technologies that make rural communities vibrant places in which to live and do business. The goal of the initiative is to foster the development of Smart Rural Communities throughout rural America by recognizing trailblazers and providing resources to assist broadband providers and connected industries.
“We are pleased and excited to accept this award,” said General Manager/CEO, Mike Becker. “We have worked hard with our city council, economic development board, and other local leaders to ensure that our citizens have access to advanced communications and the many benefits those services enable. We are fortunate to have a forward-looking Board of Directors and dedicated hard-working employees that are always working and volunteering for the betterment of the community. We look forward to building on our success for many years to come, and we invite the entire community to a Smart Rural Community celebration on Friday November 17th.”
News release by Hartelco